Buying a Holiday Lodge: An Honest Step-by-Step Guide

Buying a holiday lodge is exciting, but it isn’t like buying a house. You own the lodge, and it sits on a pitch at a park, under an agreement with the park owner. This guide takes you through the steps in order. It covers the questions to ask any park, and where Epworth Fields stands on each.

Step 1: Be clear on what a holiday lodge is for

A holiday lodge on a holiday park is for holiday and recreational use. It’s a place to spend time away from your main home, not a replacement for it. The National Caravan Council (NCC), the industry trade body, defines holiday use as time spent “away from your main place of residence” in its best practice guidance for holiday parks. If you want to live somewhere full-time, you need a residential park home on a residential park, which is a different thing.

Step 2: Decide where, and how you want to use it

Think about how far you’re happy to drive on a Friday night. Do you want a quiet park or a busy resort? Do you want to let your lodge out or keep it to yourself? Answering these first will rule out a lot of parks.

Epworth Fields is a small, gated, family-run park near Epworth in North Lincolnshire, close to the A1 and M18. Lodges are for owners’ own use and can’t be let out, which keeps the park peaceful. Dogs are welcome, and there’s an owners-only fishing lake, which some lodges overlook. If you’re coming from further afield, see our guides for buyers from Yorkshire, Doncaster and across Lincolnshire.

Step 3: Look for a 12-month holiday park

Opening seasons vary a lot. Some parks close for weeks or months over winter. On 12-month holiday parks, you can use your lodge all year round (still as a holiday home, not your main residence). Always ask when the park is open, and ask to see it in writing.

Epworth Fields has a 12-month season, so you can be here whenever you like.

Step 4: Work out the full cost, not just the price

The price of the lodge is the biggest number, but ask exactly what it includes. Siting, connection to services, decking and furnishings can all be extras at some parks. Then there’s the annual site fee, plus everyday running costs. You can’t buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage, so plan how you’ll fund the purchase before you start viewing.

At Epworth Fields, lodges start from £49,995, and the price includes everything: siting, connection, decking and furnishings. The annual site fee is £3,000 plus VAT. It’s frozen for 5 years for every buyer, new or pre-owned. Every purchase is tailored, so we’ll talk you through running costs and terms when you visit. For a fuller breakdown, read our cost of buying a holiday lodge guide.

Already own a motorhome, static caravan or touring caravan? We take all three in part-exchange, and it can go towards your lodge.

Step 5: Choose new or pre-owned, and lodge or static

A new lodge gives you the latest layout and first use of everything. A pre-owned lodge can be a good-value way in, and is often already sited with its decking in place. Neither is automatically better. If you’re still deciding between a lodge and a static caravan, read our lodge vs static caravan guide.

At Epworth Fields, our new lodges are built by Love Holiday Homes, and we also have a Victory Lakewood. The 5-year site fee freeze applies to pre-owned lodges too. You’ll find every lodge, with its price, on our lodges for sale page.

Step 6: Visit, and ask the same questions everywhere

Visit more than one park if you can, and take this list with you:

• When is the park open, and is that written into the agreement?
• What exactly is included in the price?
• What is the site fee, and how might it change?
• Can owners let their lodges out, and how many do?
• What are the everyday running costs?
• What happens if I want to sell in future?
• Can I see the agreement before I commit?

The NCC’s best practice guidance sets out the information parks are expected to give buyers. It’s worth reading before you visit.

Viewings at Epworth Fields are by appointment, so you’ll get our full attention. Quick answers to common questions are on our park FAQs page.

Step 7: Read the paperwork, then decide

Take the agreement home and read it properly before you sign. Ask about anything you’re not sure of. A good park will expect you to.

Step 8: Move in

Once your lodge is chosen, the park gets it ready for you. At Epworth Fields, siting, connection, decking and furnishings are all included, so you can collect your keys and start enjoying it. Hot tubs aren’t standard, but we can add one for you, or you can add your own. See lodges for sale with a hot tub.

Is a holiday lodge an investment?

Think of a holiday lodge as a lifestyle purchase, not a financial investment. We explain why in our guide: are holiday lodges a good investment?

FAQ

Can I live in a holiday lodge full-time?

Not on a holiday park. Holiday lodges are for holiday use, and you’ll need a main home elsewhere.

What does a 12-month season mean?

The park is open all year round, so you can use your lodge as a holiday home in any month.

Can I buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage?

No. You can’t buy a holiday lodge with a mortgage. We’ll talk you through the purchase when you visit.

Do I pay council tax on a holiday lodge?

No. The NCC notes that you don’t pay council tax on a holiday lodge, because it isn’t your permanent home (NCC questions and answers).

Can I let my lodge out at Epworth Fields?

No. Lodges are for owners’ own use only.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs are welcome.

Do you take part-exchange?

Yes. We take motorhomes, static caravans and touring caravans in part-exchange.

How much does a lodge cost at Epworth Fields?

From £49,995, with siting, connection, decking and furnishings included. The annual site fee is £3,000 plus VAT, frozen for 5 years.